It is surprisingly quiet in Cardiff’s Student Union tonight. Not once have I been able to walk around the venue without having to constantly say Excuse me while I push my way through fellow punters. I chalk it up to a huge clash of gigs this evening. One, the mighty Anvil in Merthyr, and the other to the just-as-mighty Arch Enemy in Birmingham. No, we Welsh folk did not have a closer show on that tour, and yes, we will adventure. Those of us who decided to remain in Cardiff for Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol.2 Tour are in for a treat.
Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol.2
The Great Hall, Cardiff University – 5 October 2024
Words And Photography: Georgia Brittain
Admittedly, I am nervous to see how this gig will play out. Apocalyptica are one of the first bands I discovered as a pre-teen, thanks to my sisters playing their Plays Metallica By Four Cellos album way back when. I first saw them play that album in full some years ago in Bristol, which was an all-seated (crowd and band) show with an intermission.
I am praying I am not standing on my ageing feet while the band comfortably play the cellos in their seats. 
I soon realise I have nothing to worry about as we hear Ride The Lightning playing out with a full drumkit and light show. The band have high energy, headbanging along and getting the crowd to sing along. The energy continues into Enter Sandman, with the crowd singing the lyrics along to the lead cello.
It is incredible how much energy such a bog-standard classical instrument can bring, especially when it is set up with pedals which make the guitar solos actually sound like a guitar. 
Admittedly, and don’t be shocked or start bashing keyboards at me now, I am not a big fan of Metallica. Sure, I know the classics from multiple rock club nights and my sister’s influence. But they are not a band I can sit and listen to.
I actually told this to some of the Apocalyptica crew some time ago at Download Festival, which gave them a good laugh because I can sit and listen to Apocalyptica Plays Metallica all day long. 
Because of my lack of enthusiasm for the legends they are playing Tribute to, my knowledge of the setlist falls off a little. There is one song dedicated to Cliff Burton after his family personally gave the band permission to use (from my memory) a bass track in one of their songs. This [Editor: The Call of Ktulu] goes down well with the crowd and Apocalyptica play with pure passion.
We go back to the heavier songs, and Sad But True begins, one I know. The slow part of this song almost sounds like it was written for the cellos and could easily be mistaken for a classic by any wandering normie who can hear what is going on inside.
After a couple more songs I am unaware of, and back to classic Master Of Puppets, the band take a seat once again for Nothing Else Matters. Sorry to be the cliché, but this is my absolute favourite, being the first I had heard of the band back when I was around 12 years old.
I give an evil glare to the one group who cannot stop shouting and talking throughout it (and I’m not the only one), who soon seem to get the message. The crowd sings along word for word, and it ends with original member Perttu Kivilaakso praising us for being “the absolute best choir to that song of this tour.” We are the land of music, after all. 
Finally, the night is coming to a close, and after a thunderous Seek And Destroy, we have One closing us out. This is my only complaint of the night. The band decided to have the lyrics spoken over the PA, which was out of time, with whoever was playing the vocal melody on the cello.
I can sense I am not the only member of the crowd frustrated at this, as it did, unfortunately, end everyone singing the “Darkness Imprisoning Me” part very early on. It’s a bit of a buzzkill, but if you can ignore the spoken lyrics, it’s still great, regardless. 
And with that, I am off for a late-night McDonald’s, reminiscing my childhood of playing the violin and wondering what Metal songs I could eventually play. Spoiler: I do not play the violin anymore. And I’m also wondering when I will see the mighty Apocalyptica the next time.
